A Week After The Paris Attacks: Overview And Ramifications

A Week After The Paris Attacks: Overview And Ramifications

By: Mattie Webb

Last Friday, the Islamic State (ISIS) targeted Paris, killing 130 innocent people and leaving another 367 injured. French President Francois Hollande has declared a state of emergency for France, calling for an international coalition against the Islamic State. The ramifications of these heinous acts constitute a global threat, raise new fears and have heightened challenges for the transatlantic community.

Shortly after last Wednesday’s attacks, Hollande called upon the 28-member European Union bloc, asking each member state to provide it with “aid and assistance by all means in their power.” All member states agreed to this clause from the Treaty of the European Union. The Paris attacks delineate France’s second attack in 10 months, following the January 2015 Charlie Hebdo massacre that killed 11 people.

What this onslaught indicates is the importance of Europe in world affairs, and especially to the U.S. foreign policy conscience. It has, through the most unfortunate circumstances, united the U.S. government and the European Union in tackling common dilemmas that threaten all of humanity.

As European Horizons at Carolina jumpstarts its chapter, we wholly condemn the events of Paris but open the floor to increased discussion about European policy and the structure of the European Union. We aim to enrich dialogue and contribute to an all-encompassing global perspective on European policy that serves to augment solutions to compelling European issues.

Next semester, we plan to conjure a discussion of the European refugee crisis. Despite some fears of terrorists sneaking into Europe as refugees, Hollande has held true with the European values, stating that “our country has the duty to respect this commitment,” as many Syrians fleeing the Syrian war were being “tormented” by the Islamic state. How can Europe divide its role in settling refugees fleeing areas held by the Islamic state? What can other global regions do to assist Europe in the task of resettling refugees?